The country was shock to hear the news last Tuesday. As the 2010 Philippine national election nears, violence tends to rise due to rival candidates. And such is started by this massacre of a caravan of candidates on their way to file their candidacy accompanied by journalist to cover the filling.
To date 57 dead bodies were found, of which the wife, two sisters, and relatives of Esmael Mangudadatu were identified. The said incident is brought about by the rivalry of the Ampatuans & Mangudadatus. These two clans have been rivals in politics in the areas of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City. The prime suspect, Andal Ampatuan Jr., the mayor of Datu Unsay, is already charged for the massacre together with four policemen who are allegedly accomplices to the massacre.
The tension in the area has been rising and probably it would grow more as it nears the election. Some of the female victims were reportedly raped before shot point blank. The victims were about to be covered in a dug mass grave in a remote area covering all evidences including the vehicles use by the victims.The Mangudadatu may have accepted the surrender of Andal Jr. but people's fear in the area for retaliation and underground actions of both parties may hamper justice and peaceful election in the area.
